On All Hallows Eve
a candle flickers —
the broken tooth grin
of a pumpkin
a scarecrow stuffed with leaves —
the harsh cackle of a witch
drinking cider
around the blazing bonfire —
crops in the barn
October 23, 2008
Notes
Ritual
"Oh, say can
you see..."
after the anthem
the flag in the breeze |
scent of
bronze chrysanthemums—
touchdown! ...a cannon roars— |
after the
dance
we embrace in moonlight
Celebration |
October 23, 2008 |
Notes |
Cinquain
Sequence
In The Forest
Primeval
Naked,
the fragile trees
seem to bend in the wind,
ashamed to bear their exposed limbs
all day.
Shrouded
in morning fog
they stand erect and still
patiently waiting for their Spring
blossoms.
Listen!
It is the steps
of a gray fox passing
through withered oak leaves, on the prowl
for food.
Among
fallen branches
a bevy of loud quail
rest and leave their trail of white scat
behind.
Gone now,
buds and blossoms
decay on windswept ground
where mushrooms will sprout among leaves
in Spring.
The sprites
and elves slumber,
waiting for the full moon
to light the shadows for their dance
tonight.
Watching
the barren field
a scarecrow, stuffed with leaves
and yellow straw, guards his kingdom
bravely.
Riding
the forest path,
a headless horseman leaves
shattered pumpkins below the oak
at dawn.
A Tanka
Sequence
Moments of
Truth
at every moment
I expect your gentle touch
to warm the night chill
your absence is a shroud
that almost stops my heart
bright leaves—your words,
your promises and your vows—
the last of autumn
stripped of adornment, naked,
your deceptions revealed
white chrysanthemums—
a bouquet for you dearest,
my remembrance gift
although we choose to part
in sadness I mourn the loss
my heart is torn,
desolate as the desert—
Sonoran sun
my smoldering memories
will fade with the passing months
Like the maple
I shed my memories—
this tainted love
shall blossom with new vigor
in the warmth of Spring
